Why Christian Dating Relationships are not all about Chemistry
Posted on February 3, 2012
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Christian Relationship
Posted on February 2, 2012
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Relationships are the building blocks of our society. They establish interaction, communication and provide the method by which live in a society, city, country, etc. Relationships exist on a multitude of levels and each plays a role in our lives. Think about those with whom you interact with on a regular basis:
Each of these relationships exists for different reasons in our lives. Each is founded on something different; our expectations, involvement and commitment to these relationships vary significantly. Some of our relationships have developed over long periods of time and others have been formed very quickly. Some of our relationships will last a lifetime, others are seasonal and still others are transactional.
Relationships are the key to happiness, fruitfulness and even holiness. How we interact with God, the devil and our fellow man determines just about everything in our lives. It is our relationships and our relating within those relationships that are the keys to our success and happiness.
Let’s cover the simple things first:
Our Relationship with the Devil
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10)
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)
Whether we like it or not or even if we believe it or not; we have a relationship with the devil. He is the adversary of our souls. He seeks to separate us from God and to steal, kill and destroy in our lives. As a born-again believer your relationship with the devil changes from an adversary hell-bent on your eternal damnation to an adversary who was defeated by the risen Christ. When Jesus rose from the grave he spoke these words to His disciples: “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
As believers we have received delegated authority from Jesus to live in victory over the strategies, temptations and devices of the devil. We have been commissioned by Christ to enforce His victory over Satan by liberating the captives; preaching the gospel.
The basis of a Christian’s relationship with Satan is the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have our dealings with the powers of darkness based on our relationship with Jesus. As a result of this relationship with Jesus our interaction with the devil is victorious. If we interact with Satan or demonic power outside of a relationship with Jesus Christ there can be no expectation of victory. It is only through Jesus Christ that humanity can be set free from the power of the enemy.
Our relationship with God
All human relationships with God must be established on the lordship of Jesus Christ.
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
Our perception of who God is and who Jesus is determines our relationship. What position have we given to the Lord in our lives? Is He the Savior who came to forgive our sins and rescue us from hell? Is He the King of kings and the Lord of lords? Is He Almighty God, who rules the heavens and the earth? Is He the absolute Sovereign of the universe? Is He I am that I am, the God of the eternal present tense? Is He the one in whom we live, move and have our being? Is His Word truth, life and even law? Who have we made Him in our lives?
Christian Single Women & Men at Free Christian Dating Websites
Posted on January 29, 2012
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Many Christian single women married to Christian single men in America and in other Western countries through these free Christian dating sites. Seeking Christian singles online is easy and conveniently because we are living in an electronic world where many marriages and relations are generated from these Christian dating services. In recent years, we have seen many Christian couples get married with each other through these Christian dating services. Christian girls looking for men online have become popular these days. A Christian single woman finds single men online from a free dating service is easy. There are many Christian dating services out there for singles to seek each other on the net. Selecting a best Christian dating site is not easy. You need to search on Google for “Christian dating for free”, “free Christian dating service”, or other keywords which relates to Christian.
You are the one who test the best Christian dating service and join it to find your dream mate. Online Christian dating websites really make the long distance shorter by helping singles to find their other half online. There are free Christian dating services and paid dating sites so online singles can select which one they need to register to. Most of Christian online dating agencies provide free registration, then charge members a fee to contact with members. There are some free Christian dating singles services that offer 100% free to their members because they really want to help Christian singles online to find each other. These free Christian dating sites usually have some ads on the web site to pay for the host and domain. Statistics in recent years show that online Christian dating services generate thousand of relationships and marriages a year. Joining an Christian dating service is the first step to find on line singles.
Christian girls looking for men at these dating sites are ready to meet you. Christian men dating women are waiting online for you. Looking for an Christian dater at a free dating service is easy as 1, 2, and 3. Christian singles are waiting to meet their soul mate at these dating services. You should take an action now. Do not wait any longer. Join these free Christian dating services to find that special soul mate of your dream. In fact, seeking Christian online singles at free Christian dating websites is convenient and easy. You should take an action now by joining these free Christian singles services to find your dream mate.
Cruising Right in Christian Relationships
Posted on January 27, 2012
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Introduction to Easy Worship Songs
Posted on January 26, 2012
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As the church grew and the need to reach more members arose, particularly the youth, new appealing methods were designed. These included developing youth-friendly programs. Such programs were aimed to give the youth a sense of belonging the church. This led to training of young evangelists who could understand and communicate easily with the youth. This resulted in youth-only church services that are now common through out the world. Another program that was developed is the establishment of Christian Unions (CU) in schools, colleges and universities.
Amateur musicians participating in these programs began playing music in popular form, thereafter breaking away and venturing into the main line of music, but with Christian theme. This in effect spread the Contemporary Christian Worship Songs throughout the world. You will not be surprised today to visit a church in America, listen to the songs sung then visit another church in Africa and hear the same song sung. The song may differ a little, may be with the tune or musical instruments used, but the message of the song will remain the same.
At present, worship songs are popular in most Television networks around the world, popularized by musical groups formed mostly by the youth. Such groups include The Joystrings, The Jesus People in America, The Joybringers and Trailblazers from Africa. The emergence of Christian ministry evangelism has completely changed the way worship songs are sung. Unlike in the past, professional Christian contemporary musicians now lead the way with very fine music. They have introduced modern music instruments, with recording studios specifically dedicated to contemporary Christian music.
Worship songs in the church are easy melodies, sung in mid-vocal range and in most cases repetitive. This enables the whole congregation find it easy to sing and understand, bringing the congregation closer to God and appreciate His deeds. These easy worship songs have given church music the mobility, enabling the songs to be sung even outside the main church. This gives church members the sense of belonging and inclusive worship experience.
Some of the most popular worship songs include:
Again we Meet, by Lucy Whitmore, 1824 For the Beauty of the Earth, by Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1864 Praise to the Lord, by Joachim Neander, 1650
Christian Worship Without Walls
Posted on January 25, 2012
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Worship In Spirit And Truth
On the other hand, if we do things we think of as worship out of a motivation other than love for God, we’re actually building walls that separate us from God and block true worship. Paul gives a great example about giving money to God, where he says for us to give cheerfully, not out of compulsion or duty. He was letting us know, giving is not an act of worship unless it is done out of love. If we perform acts of worship out of duty, we’re not worshiping God in truth, but deceiving ourselves and building walls of resentment that block our spirits from receiving His blessings. Many of us attend and take our children to churches, not because we or they want to, but because we think we have to go there to worship God. This is actually spiritually harmful to ourselves and our kids because of the walls it builds in our hearts. When worship goes from “want to” to “have to” it stops being worship and builds walls of resentment that prevent us from worshiping in spirit and truth. I remember once, while praying out loud in a group, I was wondering what the senior pastor felt about the prayer I was making. It was at that moment God let me know I wasn’t worshiping in spirit and in truth but just making pretty words for a man. I had erected the pastor as a wall between me and worship of God. When we worship, it doesn’t matter where we go as long as we can go to Him in spirit and in truth…without walls.
Walls In The House Of God
In my first ministry post, we had just completed a new church building and got an opportunity to minister to a “Twins” club by letting them use our facility for a sale of used twins stuff. One of our church “elders” told me she was concerned we were “changing money” in the house of God. Funny, she had no problem with church offerings, church ticket sales, and church teenagers playing basketball in the building, but drew the line when someone outside of our church was to be blessed by “God’s House.” Considering Christ called us to love and good works as a testimony of Him, which do you think was a genuine act of worship, letting an outside group who couldn’t afford it, use the building, or telling them the building was reserved for God? When we greedily hold on to things which represent God, we build walls around our hearts which prevent the very worship we think we’re performing.
Worship Requires Faith
First Communion Gifts
Top 20 Easy Worship Guitar Songs
Posted on January 24, 2012
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Easy worship guitar songs are great because they give you a chance to practice all the basic chords while playing songs that you’re familiar with. Here are a few simple songs that are good way to get started:
1. Give Us Clean Hands
2. Here I Am To Worship
3. Holiness
4. Hungry
5. Open The Eyes Of My Heart
6. Forever
7. Agnus Dei
8. Stir In Me
9. God of Wonders
10. Famous One
11. Come Thou Fount
12. We Are Hungry
13. Hallelujah (Your Love Is Amazing)
14. Good To Me
15. Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble
16. Let Everything That Has Breath
17. Center
18. Everything
19. Jesus Lover Of My Soul
20. Lord I Lift Your Name On High
These are a few of these songs that are familiar to most people, which is great because you can lead worship for you friends or at youth group or something, and everybody will likely be able to sing along.
Songs like these simple worship guitar songs will help you get the basics of playing guitar, and then you can move on to some of your other favorites that are a bit more challenging. Godspeed!
The Purposes and Parts of Christian Worship
Posted on January 23, 2012
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Christian worship is a reference to a Christian expressing admiration for and allegiance to God. It is a key element of Christian growth. There seems to be so much “people focused” entertainment and performance, in what we call worship services. The following are insights about the purposes and parts of corporate expressions of admiration of God:
A second purpose of worship is to edify believers. What I say and do should help you be a stronger Christian, at least not offend you. And what you do and say should help me be a stronger Christian, at least not offend me. I Corinthians 14 is a marvelous text on this subject. Attitudes are contagious. When we leave worship, we should feel as if we left a pep rally for Jesus.
A third purpose of worship is to evangelize non-believers. Non-believers may not understand all that is said and surely not agree with all that is said. However, the energy of the worshipers should be contagious and the Gospel should welcome the heart of non-believers who are sensitive to the call of God.
Notice that performing or showing off for one’s own ego is not one of the purposes. Notice further that entertaining the pew is not a purpose. Those who make no effort to obey God’s Word should feel more conviction than joy from Christian worship.
Parts.
In prayer, we praise God for His greatness and thank Him for using His greatness for our benefit. We confess our sins. We ask God to bless others and bless us. Prayer is a believer initiated communication with God.
In singing, the lyrics may be directed towards God, which would make it a singing prayer. Sometimes the lyrics are focused on the listeners. The song may urge Christian living, hope, or the remembering of how God has kept His people. As important as music is, the lyrics are more important. It is the lyrics that communicate the message. Sound without substance misses the aim of communicating admiration and allegiance to God. That is why choir rehearsal should always include teaching both how to sing the song and the message of the song.
In preaching, the Word of God is explained and applied to the lives of those who listen. The aim of Christian preaching is to persuade the listeners, including the preacher, to obey the Word of God. No wonder, it is so important to pay attention and take notes.
In giving, we show that our hearts are really into what we are singing, praying, and preaching about. Matthew 6:21 teaches that where our treasurers are is also where our hearts are.
In other words, if you sing, pray, and preach but keep God’s money (i.e., tithes and offerings) in your pocket, the genuineness of your worship is suspect.
In interacting with one another, we demonstrate that we are really striving to obey God’s will. Jesus taught that the greatest evidence of really being in tuned with Him is to love one another (see Jn. 13:34-35).
Our worship is off, when we sing, pray, preach, and even give but do not demonstrate love towards one another and, worst, act ugly towards one another.
In summary, every believer should be aware of the three purposes and five parts of Christian worship. Such awareness keeps us from wasting our time with vain religious entertainment or boring routine.
List of Praise and Worship Songs
Posted on January 22, 2012
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Hillsongs United has a combination of slow and fast-beat tracks that they have captured the hearts of Christians of all ages and of different denominations. However, the group is most popular to the younger generation because of their upbeat tracks that are better alternatives to the sometimes obscene pop dance music. Here are some of the most well-known songs that the group has sung.
Here I Am To Worship
Featuring the lyrics “Here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down,Here I am to say that You’re my God” this song acknowledges God’s power over everyone. This slow praise song can make a person hum as he or she listens to the song. The coda portion also has a very deep message especially for people who are asking for forgiveness and conversion. It says “I never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross… Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved,” repeatedly until the song ends.
King of Majesty
The song begins with the lines, “You know that I love You, You know that I want You.” The refrain plays, “King of majesty, I have one desire, is to be with You, my Lord,” and “Jesus, You are the Savior of my soul, and forever I give my praises to You.” Those who would like to praise God through hip tunes are surely taken by the great lyrics and arrangement of this song.
Now That You’re Near
This song has several arrangements, with the rock versions being one of the most popular. “Hold me in Your arms, never let me go, I wanna spend my eternity with You,” says the refrain.
One Way
The chorus of this song has the lyrics, “One way, Jesus, You’re the only One that I could live for.” This is, perhaps one of the most popular songs of the group. This has sent a huge number of Christians all over the world jumping and dancing as they sing along with the song.
Because Hillsongs was able to combine the praise and worship with some of the elements of popular music, their songs continue to spread to more and more Christians. In the end, it is not about the singer, the composer and the song. It is about lifting the hearts of more and more people to God.
Are You Seeking God’s Face Or God’s Hand?
Posted on January 20, 2012
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Have you ever spent time with one of your kids where all you did was just “hang out?” If you have grown kids, and you ask them what they remember most about their childhood, I would bet they recall a time where you spent an afternoon participating in some fun activity.
I remember when my son was about 4 years old. He attended a local preschool, but it was only a few mornings a week so very often I had this four year old who wanted my time. Every day. All day…
So I would play board games with him in the afternoons. I remember he and I would always claim to be “Champion of the World” when one of us would win. Of course, beating a 4 year old isn’t exactly something to brag about on my resume, but nonetheless, I always made sure the title passed back and forth… sometimes.
My son and I both fondly recall those days as very special times when we built a relationship. And the truth is… I had a hard time saying no to my son after all that relationship building. I knew my son wasn’t hanging out with me just for what he could get me to buy him, but the relationship we built meant that when he did ask for something, my heart was more than willing to consider it.
Why is it so difficult to see that as a parent, God is no different? There are some who see God as a giant Santa Claus. You simply submit your wish list and wake up one morning to find that all is well. They fail to realize that relationship is everything. It’s the one thing God wants more than anything else. And it’s when we take the time to seek God’s face, which is simply that ongoing relationship with Him, that He extends His hand because His heart is open to hear all we have to say.
Relationship is Everything
A few weeks ago I read an amazing book called, “Daily Inspirations for Finding Favor with the King”, by Tommey Teney. In this book it talked about the importance and relevance of Christian praise and worship in building a relationship with God. What impressed me was the author’s insistence that praise and worship must be directed to God’s face and NOT His hand. If your motive is to love God, to spend time with God, to truly want to be in God’s presence, then your praise and worship will be met by God with open arms.
If, however, your motive is to try to earn a blessing, or to impress those around you, or even to fulfill some sense of obligation, you’ve missed the boat….Completely.
So how do you know if your relationship with God is centered around His face or simply His hand? What can you do to make sure your motive is pure as you praise and worship God?
Spend most of your time with God in praise and worship. Letting God know how much you love and appreciate Him never gets old to God. In fact, praise and worship is the key that opens God’s heart. Come to God just as you are with an open heart. Letting God see ALL that’s in your heart, good or bad, lets God know that you value your relationship enough to let Him see it all and do whatever He needs to do. Look for opportunities to offer God praise and worship in things around you. All you need to do is see a beautiful sunset or one of the many other wonders of nature to offer God praise and thanksgiving for that miraculous blessing. God appreciates a grateful heart. Don’t be afraid to show God how you truly feel as you worship Him. There are those who don’t feel comfortable raising their hands or showing any emotion during worship services. Yet those same people can be found at sporting events or concerts whooping, clapping, and hollering as if it really mattered. I’m not saying you have to jump up and down or shout, but simply standing with open hands shows God that your heart is open and you want to feel God’s presence. And most importantly… Don’t judge, look down on, or criticize someone else because they want to show emotions and energy as they worship. Just because you aren’t in the same place in your spiritual walk as they are doesn’t mean what they’re doing is inappropriate or wrong. Concentrate on worshiping God yourself so your focus remains on building your own relationship with God.
Christian praise and worship can be one of the most powerful ways to help you build your relationship with God. There is nothing better than feeling the love, peace, and acceptance that you feel when God’s presence is all around you.
But just remember, like a parent, God is looking for that ongoing relationship. When He sees your open heart and your desire to get to know Him for who He is, His heart opens to hear all you have to say.
What a concept……seeking God’s face and then feeling the blessings from His hand.